Method of making watch bands



J. l. MUSHE'Y June 7, 1966 METHOD OF MAKING WATCH BANDS Filed March 28, 1962 .FIG.

FIG.7

. INVENTOR.

JOHN l. MUSHEY United States Patent 3,254,396 METHOD OF MAKING WATCH BANDS John I. Mushey, 365 Metcalf Road, North Attleboro, Mass. Filed Mar. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 183,208 8 Claims. (Cl. 29160.6)

The present invention relates to improvements in methods of making watchbands and more particularly to an improved method of making flexible, non-exp-ansi-ble watchbands.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making watchbands and watchband components wherein the number of elements being assembled into a watch band component is substantially reduced so that the handling of the individual elements is minimized although the end product does not materially differ from prior watchband constructions requiring the assembly of a large number of component elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method Otf making flexible watchband components, wherein the size of the component elements being assembled is substantially greater than the elements required in prior methods.

A further object of the resent invention is to provide an improved method of making flexible watchband components which utilizes a novel procedure for assembling a few relatively large component elements at least one of which issubject to sectioning into a multiplicity of elements flexibly supported in end-to-end relation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making bracelet components for flexible watchbands wherein two component elements are positively connected together, one of which is inherently flexible and the other of which is adapted to be sectioned so as to be flexibly carried by the first element.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of making flexible watchband components which includes a pair of component elements, one of which is formed of flexible wire mesh material and the other of which'is relatively inflexible in long lengths, wherein the latter element is scored, so as to be easily fractured after assembly into a number of transverse elements flexibly carried by the flexible element.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a watchband made in accordance with the method of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a partially formed component;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the element of FIG- URE 2, after being further partially for-med;

FIGURE 5 is a View similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the flexible element of wire mesh inserted in position;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the edge portions of the channel element folded over to grip the wire mesh;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 7-7 in FIGURE 6,;

FIGURE 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the fashion in which the bracelet component'is subjected to fracturing forces;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a partially formed component; and

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of lines 10-10 in FIGURE 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals apply to like parts throughout, and having reference first to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that I have ice.

provided a flexible watchband which includes a pair of watchband components 10 and 12 joined together at common ends by means of the expansible clasp box assembly 14 which is of conventional and well-known construction. The clasp box 14 may be opened for separation and when closed is expansible to accommodate wrists of varying size. The opposing ends of the component elements 10 and 12 are formed with end connectors as at 16 with rings 18, both of which are conventional and adapted to be connected to a wristwatch or the like.

Components such as are shown at 10 and 12 are comprised of flexible wire mesh 20 and a plurality of shells 22 mounted in end-to-end relation and gripping the wire mesh 20 therein. Thus, the wire mesh 20 forms the flexible means for connecting the shells 22 in flexible relation to each other. Either the shells '22 or the wire mesh 20 may be used as the ornamental face of the watchband, according to taste.

The method of making each of the watch band components 10 and 12 will now be described in detail.

Suitable stock, preferably metallic stock of precious or semiprecious metal, usually provided in long strips on rolls, is fed through a stamping machine (not shown) and stamped .into the generally flat elongate section 24 having a selected length. The elongate section 24, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, is of unitary construction with a plurality of geometric division lines at 26 dividing the same into a multiplicity of transverse elements 28. Simultaneously with the stamping operation, the section 24 is transversely scored as shown at 30 so as to partially sever the section 24. The stamping operation also forms the side edges of the section 24 with slightly upturned portions as at 32 and 34.

Next, the section 24 is inserted into a forming station having channel shape (not shown) and it is struck or otherwise operated upon to form the channel shape shown in FIGURE 4 with the side edge portions 32 and 34 upstanding relative to the base portion 36 of the channel.

Next, the wire mesh 20 which may be of any suitable design, is inserted into the channel-shaped element 24 and then the upper edges 38 and 40 are struck inwardly and downwardly so as to clampingly grip the wire mesh 20 against the base 36 as shown in FIGURE 6.

Prior to assembly of the components 10, 12 into a watchband, each component is fed through a series of rollers 46, 48 and 50 disposed to direct the component through an are so that the metallic section 24 is fractured at the score lines 30 so as to physically separate the transverse elements 22. The elements 22 are thereby flexibly carried by the wire mesh 20 in close end-to-end relationship.

The rollers shown in FIGURE 8 are by way of exam ple only, it being obvious that anumber of procedures can be followed to effect fracturing of the joints between the elements 22 after assembly on the wire mesh 20.

After completion of the watchband components 10 and 12, which can bemade to any selected length, obviously, the suitable end connectors 16 can be clampingly gripped on the wire mesh 20 as shown at 42in FIGURE 1 and the clasp box 14 can be coupled to the wire mesh 20 by means of the connector means 44, which is conventional in the prior art.

The section 24 can be stamped to tapered or other suitable shapes and the face 25 can have suitable ornamentation embossed thereon or otherwise formed.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that I have provided an improved method of making watchbands which fulfills the objects hereinbefore enumerated.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by these claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from relatively non-flexible metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length and transversely marking the section to geometrically divide the same into a multiplicity of elements physically joined in end-to-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section, inserting a relatively flexible longitudinal section into the channel of said elongate section, striking the edge portions of the elongate section so as to fold the same inwardly upon itself to partially encase the flexible longitudinal section therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the transverse marking thereof.

2. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from relatively non-flexible metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length and transversely scoring the section to geometrically divide the same into a multiplicity of elements physically joined in end-to-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section, inserting a longitudinal section of relatively highly flexible wire mesh into the channel of said elongate section, striking the edge portions of the elongate section so as to fold the same inwardly upon itself to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the transverse scoring thereof.

3. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length, forming transverse score marks on the section to geometrically divide the same into a multiplicity of elements physically joined in end-to-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section having a base and upstanding side edges, inserting a longitudinal section of wire mesh onto the base of the channel of said elongate section, bending the edge portions of the elongate section relative to the base so as to fold the edge sections inwardly upon the base to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at each of the transverse score marks.

4. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length, forming transverse score marks on the section to geometrically divide the same into a multiplicity of elements integrally joined in end-toend relation and partially severed by the score marks, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section, inserting a longitudinal section of wire mesh into the channel of said elongate section, folding the edge portions of the elongate section inwardly to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and breaking the scored joints between the elements so that the elements are flexibly carried in end-to-end relation on the wire mesh.

5. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of simultaneously stamping and scoring metallic stock to form a generally flat elongate section of a selected length geometrically divided into a multiplicity of transverse elements physically joined in end-to-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section, inserting a longitudinal section of flexible wire mesh into the channel of said elongate section, folding the edge portions of the elongate section inwardly to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the scoring thereof so that the transverse elements are freed from integral connection and are flexibly carried by said wire mesh.

6. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of simultaneously stamping and scoring metallic stock to form a generally flat elongate section of a selected length geometrically divided into a multiplicity of transverse elements physically joined in endto-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section, inserting a longitudinal section of flexible wire mesh into the channel of said elongate section, folding the edge portions of the elongate section inwardly to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the scoring thereof so that the transverse elements are freed from integral connection and are flexibly carried by said wire mesh, connecting one end connector to each of a pair of such components, and coupling said pair of components by a clasp.

7. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length and simultaneously transversely scoring the section to geometrically divide and partially transversely cut the same into a multiplicity of elements physically joined in end-toend relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section having a base and upstanding side edges, positioning a longitudinal section of flexible Wire mesh on the base of the channel and between the side edges of said elongate section, bending the edge portions of the elongate section so as to fold the same inwardly over the base to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the transverse scoring thereof so that the transverse elements are completely severed from each other and flexibly carried by said wire mesh.

8. A method of making flexible watchband components comprising the steps of stamping from metallic stock a generally flat elongate section of a selected length and simultaneously transversely scoring the section to geometrically divide and partially transversely cut the same into a multiplicity of elements physically joined in end-to-end relation, forming said elongate section into a generally U-shaped cross-section having a base and upstanding side edges, positioning a longitudinal section of flexible wire mesh on the base of the channel and between the side edges of said elongate section, bending the edge portions of the elongate section so as to fold the same inwardly over the base to partially encase the wire mesh therein, and fracturing the elongate section at the transverse scoring thereof so that the transverse elements are completely severed from each other and flexibly carried by said wire mesh, connecting one end connector to each of a pair of such components, and coupling said pair of components by a clasp.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,784,582 12/1930 Doppenschmitt 633 1,840,771 1/1932 Duerr 633 2,252,305 8/ 1941 Puschner et a1 29-410 X FOREIGN PATENTS 233,166 9/1944 Switzerland.

WHITMORE A. WILTZ, Primary Examiner. THOMAS H. EAGER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF MAKING FLEXIBLE WATCHBAND COMPONENTS COMPRISING THE STEPS OF STAMPING FROM RELATIVELY NON-FLEXIBLE METALLIC STOCK OF GENERALLY FLAT ELONGATE SECTION OF A SELECTED LENGTH AND TRANSVERSELY MARKING THE SECTION TO GEOMETRICALLY DIVIDE THE SAME INTO A MULTIPLICITY OF ELEMENTS PHYSICALLY JOINED IN END-TO-END RELATION, FORMING SAID ELONGATE SECTION INTO A GENERALLY U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION, INSERTING A RELATIVELY FLEXIBLE LONGITUDINAL SECTION INTO THE CHANNEL OF SAID ELONGATE SECTION, STRIKING THE EDGE PORTIONS OF THE ELONGATE SECTION SO AS TO FOLF THE SAME INWARDLY UPON ITSELF TO PARTIALLY ENCASE THE FLEXIBLE LONGITUDINAL SECTION THEREIN, AND FRACTURING THE ELONGATE SECTION AT THE TRANSVERSE MARKING THEREOF. 